"We're not critics. We're professional fan-girls." --- This blog is dedicated to movies and the entertainment industry. We use random selection to bring into light the best and worst of Netflix and off various columns highlighting new movies as well.

Tanner and Brent are best friends. Of the many things they share
is the fact that they are both gay and in the closet. Brent has a plan to come
out, though. He wants to make a big statement that tells the world who he is
and gets him a definite seat with the “in” crowd. Unfortunately for him, Tanner
gets outted first.

I added G.B.F. to
the blog’s Netflix list because it was suggested by a friend of mine. The last
time I hung out with my friend, Mark, he referenced the movie at least four
times. I trust Mark’s taste, so it seemed to be the best idea to give this film
a shot.

Considering who recommended it to me, I should have realized
it would be kind of goofy (not in a bad way). The acting was a touch
over-the-top, but high school in general tends to have over-the-top
personalities.

After about ten minutes, I became skeptical. It almost
veered off into a rough territory, but it reined itself in and turned into a
decent movie with a respectable message.

I have one glaring issue and it has nothing to do with
anyone involved with the film.

The MPAA straight-up shat on G.B.F.

There is NO reason for this movie to be rated R. The language
was well within PG-13 limits, there was no nudity and the minor references to
sex were all implied. In fact, the only reason I can see that the MPAA would
rate G.B.F. an R is because the main
character, and subject, was homosexual. That reasoning is complete bullshit.

I believe this film is a great one for teens that have, or
plan to, come out. It acknowledges the difficulties they face in an uplifting
way without being preachy and remaining entertaining.

The director, Darren Stein (Jawbreaker, Sparkler, Aviel), posted on Facebook his take on the rating after the film’s release in 2013:

“I always thought of G.B.F. as a PG-13 movie, but we were given an R ‘For Sexual References’ while not having a single F-bomb, hint of nudity or violence in the film. Perhaps the ratings box should more accurately read ‘For Homosexual References’ or ‘Too Many Scenes of Gay Teens Kissing.’ I look forward to a world where queer teens can express their humor and desire in a sweet, fun teen film that doesn't get tagged with a cautionary R.”

Of course, with that R rating, the MPAA robbed this film of its target audience and robbed the target audience of any good they may have gotten from it.

It’s a really subtle kind of homophobia. Fuck the MPAA.

Cat's Point of View:
I hadn’t heard of this movie prior to its selection. Lack of preconceived opinions regarding the plot and cast didn’t prevent a prediction of the general story arc fairly early on, however.

The film seemed to promise to be some sort of amalgam between Can’t Buy Me Love (1987) or Love Don’t Cost a Thing (2003) and Mean Girls (2004). I was pleasantly surprised, however, that it didn’t go all the way to the ‘mean.’

The film was full of cliches and cloying modern teen-speak, though I didn’t feel that it was too over-the-top. It felt like just the right amount of flamboyance to give a veneer of fun over the stronger messages that underpinned the story.

It’s a shame that the MPAA rating of R for this movie will have made it much harder for its target audience to view it.

The messages of substance over superficial, acceptance, and label-shedding were presented in a way that teens today could easily identify with. I had jumped right into watching the movie; so imagine my surprise when I found out the rating! I have seen far more nudity, sexual situations, innuendo, and profanity in countless PG-13 movies.

Titanic (1997) had a nearly fully nude Kate Winslet (Finding Neverland, Contagion, Divergent), a sex scene, and domestic violence in it, for Pete’s sake. It still managed to retain a PG-13 rating. For a movie released so recently, this is rather shocking. The MPAA certainly shoved their heads in the sand over that one.

While the stars of the film were excellent in their roles, I got a real giggle from some of the supporting cast. Natasha Lyonne (Orange Is The New Black, American Pie, Blade:Trinity) and Megan Mullally (30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, Bee Movie) both had me simultaneously laughing, groaning, and cringing a little.

Overall, I really liked this movie. I hope that, in spite of its ludicrous rating and limited release, it surpasses expectations and has a long, healthy shelf-life.

As of today, Trust-the-Dice would like to welcome a new
writer to the site. Cat Vaughn has been a friend to the blog since the
beginning. Behind the scenes she has assisted with the upkeep of the instant
queue (“my list”) and research into the films. She’s sat through every hidden
gem, great film and terrible viewing.

Her reviews will be posted with Selina’s. Sometimes, they
will agree. Other times, you’ll get two very different opinions on the same
film.

Feel free to give feedback on our recent changes and, as
always, may the dice be with you.

Who doesn’t like a good Jackie Chan (The Karate Kid, The Forbidden Kingdom, Rush Hour) movie? He’s kind
of legendary, isn’t he? Of course, you’ve usually also got his wit and snarky
sense of humor threaded into the story. This film seems a bit more on the
serious side. Still, doesn’t seem like a bad way to kill a couple of hours.

If the trailer is any indication, the movie should be
non-stop action and killer fight scenes. Seems like Chan is out to prove he’s
still got it. Was there really any doubt?

First of all, I think the title of this film is adorable. I’ve
heard kids talk about someone being bi-polar and that’s exactly what they say. “That
person is a polar bear.”

Secondly, it raises awareness for the ailment while
highlighting the acting talents of Mark Ruffalo (Avengers: Age of Ultron, Foxcatcher, Begin Again) and Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, The
Words). That’s one hell of a cast there.

The only question is how the film treats the condition. Will
it be close to the mark on how it really works, or will it be mostly a comedy
at the expense of bi-polar people? The trailer makes it seem as though the film
could go either way. I guess we’ll see.

I don’t usually acknowledge Documentaries on my “Top 10” articles.
It’s not for any reason other than the fact that I don’t tend to enjoy them.
Most of the time there’s the monotone voice along with dry facts. I find it a little
like being back in history class.

Batkid Begins,
however, barks up a different tree. The trailer alone got me a little
teary-eyed.

I know the base story of who Batkid is (in relation to this
film), but as I watched the trailer I found I wanted to know more about him and
his story. I’d love to know who he is now, if he is now.

I thought I was watching the wrong trailer at first. I’m
guessing that was the point, which means it was well done. I really like the
way they did it.

I’ve never seen the Entourage
show. I’ve heard plenty about it, but never really sat down and gave it a
chance. This film makes me want to.

Even if it didn’t look as good as it does, the sheer mass of
cameos would interest me. Look at that list of actors. The makers had to get
all of them to clear time in their schedules to appear. People from Mike Tyson (The Roots of Fight, Scary Movie 5, The
Hangover) to Mark Wahlberg (Transformers:
Age of Extinction, Pain & Gain, Ted) to George Takei (Free Birds, Supah Ninjas, Star Trek).
That’s not an easy task. Something must have drawn them other than pure money.

Samuel L. Jackson (Avengers:
Age of Ultron, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Django Unchained) plays the
president and is getting hunted down by an inside man. If that didn’t sound
awesome enough, there seems to be a sassy feel to the humor of the film. I like
a good sassy sense of humor. I kind of like that the hero seems to be the kid,
also.

The trailer indicates that there’s tons of action, tons of
laughs and some great acting.

This trailer was truly heartbreaking. I mean, you have to
assume the dog is probably going to die, because they always do in this kind of
film. It makes me cringe, but the story seems so interesting that I still find
myself wanting to see it.

I’m also really happy to see Robbie Amell (The Flash, The Duff, The Tomorrow People)
in another film, even if it seems to be a small part according to the plot.

I found the first Ted
to be absolutely hilarious. Naturally, that means I’m all about seeing the
second one.

Yeah, I see that Seth MacFarlane (A Million Ways to Die in the West, American Dad, Ted) reused some
of his Family Guy jokes. I’m also
aware that it seems like it might get a little subtly preachy, but that doesn’t
change anything. I’m still looking forward to seeing it and I’m still certain
it’s going to be super funny.

I love the Jurassic
Park series more than anyone should. I have seen them all so many times
that I can recite the majority of them. During college, I used to play the
first Jurassic Park on repeat while I
did research papers because it helped me concentrate.